Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
The rise of Fear Farm and its Waterloo connection
By Angelica Marie Sanchez. This is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on Waterloo News.
The University of Waterloo has long been a key driver of innovation, fostering entrepreneurs whose ventures shape industries and enrich communities — with alumni leading some of the region’s most vibrant and creative businesses.
Among them is Meghan Snyder (BA ’07), a Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate whose passion and education helped transform a modest pumpkin patch into Snyder’s Family Farm — a beloved seasonal destination. Their Fear Farm draws thousands each fall with its spine-tingling Halloween attraction, a place brimming with thrills and chills for all ages.
Snyder’s credits much of her entrepreneurial mindset to her time at Waterloo, especially one professor who left a lasting impression.
“Dr. Ron McCarville was just amazing and his excitement about customer service stuck with me,” Snyder recalls. She even co-wrote a thesis paper with the professor emeritus. “That early exposure to the power of hospitality and service helped shape the foundation of Snyder’s Farm, where going above and beyond for guests is a core value.”
While studying at Waterloo, Snyder met her husband, John. Together, they became first-generation farmers and co-founded Snyder’s Farm 22 years ago, building the business from the ground up on a 2,500 square foot property. Today, Snyder’s Farm welcomes up to 80,000 visitors each season, offering fall attractions, seven immersive haunted experiences and a festive Christmas Tree Farm that captivates families from across Ontario.
Register for the upcoming Eco Summit
A message from the Sustainability Office.
Have you registered for Eco Summit yet? Join the Sustainability Office for an afternoon of celebration, reflection, and community-building on Wednesday, November 26 in Fed Hall. This year’s summit will focus on looking ahead to the next chapter in our campus sustainability journey: where we are going, how we will get there, and how everyone on campus can meaningfully contribute. All interested staff, faculty and students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Whether you’re coming solo or in a group, there will be lots of opportunities to connect with like-minded people, learn from others, and share your ideas. The event will feature highlights from the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Report, an incredible line-up of case study presentations from campus sustainability champions, a booth showcase, sustainability awards, and remarks from President Goel, with interactive activities and networking weaved throughout.
More information and registration details can be found on the Eco Summit 2025 webpage. We hope to see you there!
Warriors Field Hockey team takes OUA bronze on home turf
This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Athletics and Recreation website.
The York Lions have retaken their place atop the OUA, as they defeated their crosstown rivals the Toronto Varsity Blues 3-1 in Sunday's gold medal game at the OUA Field Hockey championship.
The host Waterloo Warriors took home bronze on home turf, holding off the Guelph Gryphons in a 1-0 win.
These final four teams are the only four to ever win an OUA Field Hockey championship, and have each taken a turn atop the conference since 2019. The pace of play reflected the status of these programs as the class of the conference – all four games were tight-checking, defensive battles.
York are champions for the first time since 2022, and this now marks their eleventh championship dating back to 1971.
Semifinal 1 - Toronto 1, Waterloo 0 (PS)
After winning their first OUA championship in 20 years, the Warriors secured home field advantage with an undefeated regular season, winning nine out of ten games and tying Guelph on the road.
It was a reversal of last year's semifinal, the top-seeded Warriors this time welcomed the low-seed Toronto Varsity Blues in the tournament's opening game. Once again, it was the visitors pulling off the upset, with Toronto taking down Waterloo in a penalty shootout.
The Warriors, who averaged over three goals a game this season, couldn't find the back of the net through 60 minutes in this one. It wasn't for lack of opportunities, but 2025 OUA Goalkeeper of the Year Mary Yang shut the door time and time again.
Read the full story on the Athletics website
Anne Innis Dagg celebrated with Heritage Minute
A new Heritage Minute from Historica Canada celebrates Dr. Anne Innis Dagg (PhD ’67, DSc ’19), a groundbreaking zoologist, animal rights advocate and feminist. Dagg received her doctorate degree in animal behaviour from the University of Waterloo and later returned to campus as a faculty member in Independent Studies.
Dagg’s passion for animals, particularly giraffes, began when she was a young girl and continued throughout her life. She received her first two degrees in biology and genetics at the University of Toronto, then embarked on a solo trip to South Africa to study giraffes in their natural habitat.
Despite being turned away numerous times — with rejection letters that claimed this was no work for a woman — Dagg persevered in her mission. Eventually, she became the first Western scientist to study any African mammal in the wild. After returning to Canada, she began working toward her PhD in animal behaviour at Waterloo. Her thesis, later published as The Giraffe: Its Biology, Behaviour and Econogy, is now considered a canonical text in the field.
In 2019, Dagg received an honourary degree from Waterloo. That same year, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
Read more about Anne Innis Dagg.
Test of the emergency notification system on Monday
On Monday, November 3, the emergency notification system (ENS) provided by Regroup will be tested on a campus-wide basis.
The test will include the following communications channels:
- SMS/text
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Regroup Mobile (safety app)
- Desktop Alert
- Campus Safety webpage
Please ensure that you have:
- downloaded Regroup Mobile to your device and follow the login and recommended settings steps,
- ensured your cell phone number is up to date either in the app if you are staff, or in Quest if you are a student,
- downloaded and installed the Desktop Alert tool onto your computer if your computer is not managed by the University.
If you have any questions about the upcoming test, or about how to make sure Regroup’s app and desktop alert are installed properly on your devices, email ens@uwaterloo.ca.
Spooky Samhain statements
Co-op students at the Science Undergraduate Office dressed up for Halloween today. Photo courtesy of Jordan Keast.
Is your department having a Halloween party today? Did you decorate your office or cubicle for the spooky season? Are you dressing up in costume to deliver a lecture? If so, send a photo to bulletin@uwaterloo.ca so we can showcase your creativity!
Did I mention the Bomber's back? Well, like a zombie clawing its way out of freshly-turned earth, the Bomber is bringing another Halloween party back to the Student Life Centre, with WUSA and the UWDJ club (another resurrected body - I was a member some 20 years ago), collaborating for a fright night called the gRAVEyard from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Like every good horror movie, this party needed a sequel.
This is a 19+ event, and attendees will need to sign a waiver and have proper ID for entry. Come out and do the monster mash!
Also, here's the obligatory "Go Jays" post as the Toronto Blue Jays attempt to clinch the World Series tonight.
Upcoming office closure
The Human Resources office will be closed today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a department event.
Link of the day
In the spirit of Hallowe'en: Don't Linger In Dark Corners
When and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
WUSA Stock the Bank food drive registration period, Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 31.
Launch of the Graham Seed Fund on building readiness for responsible AI in community care, Friday, October 31, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, EC5 1111. Visit the Graham Seed Fund website to register.
Warriors Women’s Volleyball vs. York, Friday,October 31, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Home Opener, Domino’s Pizza Block Party. Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Men’s Volleyball vs. York, Friday,October 31, 7:30 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Home Opener, Domino's Pizza Block Party. Buy your tickets today!
the gRAVEyard by UWDJ x WUSA, Friday, October 31, 9:00 p.m. to Saturday, November 1, 1:00 a.m., the Bomber, SLC.
GIS Speed Run Sessions: Essential Analysis Tools, Monday, November 3, 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., online.
WICI Talk featuring Woi Sok Oh, "Understanding dynamics of forced migration and conflict through the lens of complex systems," Monday, November 3, 1:00 p.m., DC 1301 (refreshments), DC 1302 (talk).
Chemistry Seminar, Nanoscale Sentinels and Molecular Beacons: Illuminating Disease from the Inside Out featuring Adam Shuhendler, Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Tuesday, November 4, 11:00 a.m. C2-361 Reading Room.
Finding the Balance in Sustainable Menstruation, Tuesday, November 4, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
Lunch & Learn with Region of Waterloo Waste Management, Tuesday, November 4, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., E2 2350. Registration required.
Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Systematic Search Methods, Tuesday, November 4, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., online.
Hagey Lecture featuring Dr. Edward Doolittle, "Indigenous Mathematics," Tuesday, November 4, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre.
Take our Kids to Work Day, Wednesday, November 5, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex (STC) Main Commons 1001.
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, November 5, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
Noon Hour Concert: Magisterra Piano Quartet, Mozart & Oswald in G Minor, Wednesday, November 5, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.
Free Store Pop Up, Wednesday, November 5, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Marketplace.
WISE Public Lecture, “The Future of Canadian Energy and Climate Policy in a World of Disruption” by Mark Winfield, Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, Co-Chair, Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI), York University, Wednesday, November 5, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., in person in DC 1302 and on Zoom. Register today!
Startup 2 Scaleup: Recruitment Roadmap (Industry Information Session + Job Fair), Wednesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Innovation Arena, 280 Joseph Street.
Hallman Lecture: Health and Happiness – Prescribing Beyond Medicine, Wednesday, November 5, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion, Room 1621, Sun Life Financial Auditorium.
Cookie Cram for Sociology students, Thursday, November 6, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Student Learning Centre Room 1123.
Lectures in Catholic Experience Presents Fr. Tim Uniac, CR, Thursday, November 6, 7:30 p.m., SJ1, Classrooms and Library Building, Notre Dame Chapel. Event is free, all are welcome.
Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith featuring Christian Smith, Friday, November 7, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., online via Zoom.
Warriors Women’s Basketball vs. Nipissing, Friday, November 7, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Home Opener, Smudging Ceremony, Three Point Thrills student contest for Tuition. Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Men’s Basketball vs. Carleton, Friday, November 7, 8:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Home Opener, Smudging Ceremony, Three Point Thrills student contest for Tuition. Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Men’s Hockey vs. Laurier, Saturday,November 8,4:00 p.m., CIF Arena. Battle of Waterloo, Alumni Day, Camps and Minor Leagues Day, W Store Pop Up Shop. Buy your tickets today!
Chirped Pulse Amplification 40th Celebration with Donna Strickland, Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., CIGI auditorium.
Balinese Percussion Ensemble Concert, Friday, November 14, 7:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre. Admission $10 general/$5 students.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
- Tunnel between South Campus Hall and the Tatham Centre closure, Friday, September 19 to November 1, access to the A3 section of the tunnel between SCH and TC will be restricted due to construction work, there will be no entry to the tunnel and pedestrians will need to use alternative routes.
- School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
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Math 3 domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 1, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water shutdown for hard and makeup water to accommodate metering installation, no water to sinks and toilets.
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Energy Research Centre domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 1, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water will be shut down for a meter installation, no water to sinks and toilets.
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Psychology, Hagey Hall Humanities, Tatham Centre, Arts Lecture Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, November 3, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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East Campus 1, East Campus 2, East Campus 3 fire alarm testing, Monday, November 3, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Energy Research Centre domestic hot water shutdown, Monday, November 3, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no hot water to sinks during the shutdown.
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School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building, Innovation Arena fire alarm testing, November 5, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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University Club, Bauer Warehouse, Avril fire alarm testing, Wednesday, November 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, November 7, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, November 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Optometry air handler shutdown, Tuesday, November 11, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., airflow to older areas of the building will be reduced, the 2009 addition will be operating normally.
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North parking lot at RAC-1 shoring activity, Monday, November 10 to January 1, 2026, shoring, pile driving, lagging and tie-backs will take place between November 10 to the end of December 2025 as part of WaterFEL construction, traffic restrictions and limited access to be in place, excessive noise and vibration may occur in the work area.
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B.C. Matthews Hall building addition domestic hot water shutdown, Wednesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown for supply water to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks.
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B.C. Matthews Hall and Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, November 20, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks